Motörhead Ace of Spades Album

Motörhead followed up the success of Bomberby releasing their fourth studio album the Ace of Spades on 8 November 1980. Reaching No.4 in the UK album charts and achieving Gold status by March 1981, it was preceded by the release of the title track as a single on 27 October, which peaked in the UK singles chart at No.15 in early November. The band were at the height of their popularity.

The album was recorded in August and September 1980 and produced by Vic Maile at his Jackson's Studio in Rickmansworth, which was to prove pivotal for the band. Maille had worked wth the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, The Kinks, The Small Faces and Dr. Feelgood which earnt him immediate respect and he quickly brought his experience to bear. Where the band had previously had an input at the mixing stage, Maile took sole responsibility. Clarke commented that "you can finally hear everything that's going on", Taylor that "he got me playing more solid" and Lemmy claimed that "Vic got me singing instead of just shouting all the time". He also later commented "Vic's strength was that he understood rock and roll. He wasn't like a lot of producers who simply rely on the readings from the meters on the desk - he was instinctive and he had the same sense of humour as me. Basically he was a c**t!!".

Motörhead appeared twice on Top of the Pops and again on the popular ITV children's show Tiswas to promote the "Ace of Spades" single (see video) before embarking on a UK tour entitled Aces Up Your Sleeve. This was interupted on December 2nd, however, when Taylor was accidently dropped on his head, breaking his neck whilst larking about after a gig in Belfast. After a short break Taylor was back playing with the aid of a neck brace and now has a prominent lump located on the back of his neck (affectionately referred to as his "knob"), thought to be a calcium deposit caused by this trauma. Tour-disrupting injuries were not unfamiliar to Taylor at the time, as he had previously broken his hand punching a man outside of his London flat. On this occasion and in typical uncompromising Motörhead style, he continued to drum, using gaffer tape to attach his drum stick until his hand had sufficiently healed. During this interval Lemmy and Clarke took time to record the "St Valentines Day Massacre" EP with Girlschool who were supporting them on the tour.

Motörhead performed Ace of Spades during an episode of hit comedy series the Young Ones in 1984 just before Taylor left the band for the first time

There is a 2005 "Classic Albums" DVD documentary release featuring an in-depth look at the making of the album including interviews with, and performances by Lemmy, Phil Taylor and Eddie Clarke. See clip | View on Amazon.

More recently (October 2010) beer company Kronenberg 1664 took the band into the studio to re-record the song for an ad campaign. You can see both the ad and a documentary about its making below.

Tracks 14 and 15 were originally released on the St. Valentine's Day Massacre EP in 1981.

Deluxe Edition: Disc 2

"Dirty Love" – 2:55

"Ace of Spades" (alternate version) – 3:03

"Love Me Like a Reptile" (alternate version) – 4:16

"Love Me Like a Reptile" (alternate version) – 3:31

"Shoot You in the Back" (alternate version) – 3:11

"Fast and Loose" (alternate version) – 3:06

"(We Are) The Roadcrew" (alternate version) – 3:24

"Fire Fire" (alternate version) – 2:41

"Jailbait" (alternate version) – 3:33

"The Hammer" (alternate version) – 3:11

"Dirty Love" (alternate version) – 1:02

"Dirty Love" (alternate version) – 3:51

"Fast and Loose" (BBC Session) – 4:18

"Live to Win" (BBC Session) – 3:33

"Bite the Bullet/The Chase Is Better Than the Catch" (BBC Session) – 6:05

The 2CD version does not include the Girlschool St. Valentine's Day Massacre tracks that are on the single-disc remaster

1. Ace Of Spades

If you like to gamble, I tell you I'm your man,

You win some, lose some, all the same to me,

The pleasure is to play, makes no difference what you say,

I don't share your greed, the only card I need is

The Ace Of Spades

Playing for the high one, dancing with the devil,

Going with the flow, it's all the game to me,

Seven or Eleven, snake eyes watching you,

Double up or quit, double stake or split,

The Ace Of Spades

You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools,

But that's the way I like it baby,

I don't wanna live for ever,

And don't forget the joker!

Pushing up the ante, I know you wanna see me,

Read 'em and weep, the dead man's hand again,

I see it in your eyes, take one look and die,

The only thing you see, you know it's gonna be,

The Ace Of Spades

2. Love Me Like A Reptile

Knew I had to bite you baby when I first set eyes on you,

That moment turned me on, I can't believe it's true,

I like to watch your body sway,

I got no choice, I'm gonna twist your tail,

Love Me Like A Reptile, I'm gonna sink my fangs in you

Thunder lizard, stony eye, you got me hypnotised,

Hot tongue breaks in and out and I can't believe my eyes,

And your soft white belly, next to mine,

Scaly baby, see you shine,

Love Me Like A Reptile, you're murder in disguise,

Black mamba, murder in disguise

Baby you're a rattlesnake, you know the way I feel,

Feel you crawling up my back, you've got no love to steal,

You know I've got my eyes on you,

You're petrified, gonna stick like glue,

Love Me Like A Reptile, shock you like an electric eel

3. Shoot You In The Back

Western movies!

The riders ride, into the night,

Into the West, to see who's gun's the best,

They're all fools, to live by rules,

The rider wearing black,

He's gonna Shoot You In The Back

The horseman turns, the wound that burns,

The awful pain, the crimson rain,

Got realise, before he dies,

The rider wearing black,

You know he's gonna Shoot You In The Back

It's suicide, to live on pride,

You claim you own, your skin your bone,

Your own life, cuts you like a knife,

The rider wearing black,

He's gonna Shoot You In The Back

In the Western movies!

4. Live To Win

You know you can't be hurt,

You gotta believe in your star,

They'll always treat you like dirt,

They can only push you so far,

They can't take it away,

If they've got something to say,

They might try and fence you in,

But you've only gotta Live To Win

I know it's hard, a natural drag,

It's a hassle to fight,

If you don't wanna be a slag,

If you believe you're right,

They've got the power now,

But soon it's our hour now,

We all know where we been,

All we do is Live To Win

You mustn't shout it out loud,

Don't create a scene,

It's no good being proud

That only feeds the scheme,

Break down the wall,

Live it up it's their time to fall,

Anarchy is coming in,

If you know we Live To Win

5. Fast And Loose

Two o' clock in the morning baby,

I know it's late, I know it's late,

I'm dark and I like the night,

And I can make you feel alright,

I've been around for quite a while,

And I've learned to make you smile,

I know you won't refuse,

You know I'm Fast And Loose

Two o' clock in the morning sugar,

You know I'm sleeping, you must be sleeping,

Why don't you invite me in?

Get yourself some original sin,

I'll wake you up, but stay in bed,

Don't get up, get down instead,

I don't need no excuse,

To like it Fast And Loose

Two o' clock in the morning honey,

Let me in baby, let me in,

You know me, you know I'm wired,

I'm gonna stop you feeling tired,

I'm coming over and I won't be long,

Just let me finish writing this song,

I'm gonna blow your fuse,

I know you like it Fast And Loose

6. (We Are) The Road Crew

Another town another place,

Another girl, another face,

Another truce, another race,

I'm eating junk, feeling bad,

Another night, I'm going mad,

My woman's leaving, I feel sad,

But I just love the life I lead,

Another beer is what I need,

Another gig my ears bleed,

We Are The Road Crew

Another town I've left behind,

Another drink completely blind,

Another hotel I can't find,

Another backstage pass for you,

Another tube of super glue,

Another border to get through,

I'm driving like a maniac,

Driving my way to hell and back,

Another room a case to pack,

We Are The Road Crew

Another hotel we can burn,

Another screw, another turn,

Another Europe map to learn,

Another truck stop on the way,

Another game I learn to play,

Another word I learn to say,

Another bloody customs post,

Another fucking foreign coast,

Another set of scars to boast,

We Are The Road Crew

7. Fire, Fire

Foxy do you have a light?

Can you light me up tonight?

I'd like to see you burn me down,

Why don't you let me light your fire?

Why don't you let me stoke you higher?

Fire, Fire! Holocaust,

Fire, Fire! Given up for lost,

Fire, Fire! Strike one, strike two,

Fire, Fire! I'm a match for you

You're quick to learn,

I love to watch you burn,

Come any time I'll torch you out,

Only you can create the flame,

Only you can scorch my brain,

Fire, Fire! Conflagration,

Fire, Fire! Hellfire, damnation,

Fire, Fire! Strike six strike eight,

Fire, Fire! I think you're great

You can't put me out,

But there ain't no doubt,

You ain't nowhere near safe with me,

You ain't the first to turn me down,

You ain't the first to turn me round,

Fire, Fire! Big black smoke,

Fire, Fire! Ain't no joke,

Fire, Fire! Strike nine strike ten,

Fire, Fire! Strike out again

8. Jailbait

Hey baby you're a sweet young thing,

Still tied to Mommy's apron strings,

I don't even dare to ask your age,

It's enough to know you're here backstage,

You're Jailbait, and I just can't wait,

Jailbait baby come on

One look baby, all I need,

My decision made at lightning speed,

I don't even want to know your name,

It's enough to know you feel the same,

You're Jailbait, and I just can't wait,

Jailbait baby come on

Hey babe you know you look so fine,

Send shivers up and down my spine,

I don't care about our different ages,

I'm an open book with well thumbed pages,

You're Jailbait, and I just can't wait,

Jailbait baby come on

9. Dance

If you want to feel good,

If you want to feel alright,

If you want to shake your stuff,

Get some rock 'n' roll tonight,

Dance, 'til your shoes are hot,

Dance, 'til your nerves are shot,

Dance, give it all you got,

Dance, Dance, ready or not,

If you want to shake it up,

If you want to feel so cool,

Get down with them girls,

Get down you dancing fool,

Dance, 'til your bones are tired,

Dance, 'til you feel inspired,

Dance, get your hormones fired,

Dance, we're dancing wired

You're jiving feeling right,

You're jiving in the crowd,

You're dancing 'til you drop,

Rock 'n' roll music's good and loud,

Dance, you liked your score,

Dance, what you're looking for,

Dance, if you're rich or poor,

Dance, can't take no more

10. Bite The Bullet

Stepping out, I'm leaving here,

No use crying, crying in my beer,

Enough's enough, believe it's true,

Bite The Bullet, I'm leaving you

Said goodbye, I left a note,

But I don't remember, just what I wrote,

The same old words, to say we're through,

Bite The Bullet, I'm leaving you

So that's the way it always ends,

Get sympathy from all your friends,

Seems there's nothing, nothing else to do,

Bite The Bullet, I'm leaving you

11. The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

You know I'm bad, the times I've had,

I've got a bad reputation,

I don't care, I get my share,

Don't feel no deprivation,

The more I get the better it is,

I like it fine, like a little whizz,

Treat 'em like ladies, that's a fact,

You know The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

Silver tounged devil, demon lech,

You know just what I'm doing,

I like a little innocent bitch,

You know I ain't just screwing,

I love you baby, love you too much,

I like it fine, I feel your touch,

But your appearance don't hold no class,

You know The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

A little beauty, I love you madly,

Come on home with me,

I know you're hot, I know what you've got,

You know I want to shake your tree,

Come on honey, touch me right there,

Come on honey, don't you get scared,

Come on honey, let me get you in the sack,

You know The Chase Is Better Than The Catch

All right! Let me hear ya!

I can't hear ya!

12. The Hammer

Let the killer go, don't let your mother know,

Don't go out tonight, don't even try to fight,

'Cos I can see, I've got the thing you need,

And I'm here to stay, it's gonna be that way,

Don't try to run, don't try to scream,

Believe me, The Hammer's gonna smash your dream

I'm in your life, just might be in your wife,

Could be behind your back, I might be on your track,

And it might be true, I might be onto you,

I'll scare you half to death, I'll take away your breath,

Don't try to see, don't try to hide,

Believe me, The Hammer's gonna make you die

There ain't no way, you'll see another day,

I'm shooting out your lights, bring you eternal night,

And your eternal tricks, begin to make me sick,

The only thing I know, is that you've gotta go,

Don't try to hide, don't look around,

Believe me, The Hammer's gonna bring you down,

Believe me, The Hammer's coming down!

Our thanks to Rock Music Society member Andy J for providing his understanding of the lyrics to this album which are provided for educational purposes only. Actual lyrics are the property of the copyright owners.

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